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Quick, what do you think of when I say “Jeremiah Masoli” Do you think, “exciting quarterback” or “blown opportunity at Oregon” or even “thug.” The 49ers and particularly Jim Harbaugh think competitive quarterback and versatile player.

In fact, Masoli is competing right now at the position he’s played his whole life – quarterback – with former Sacramento State player McLeod Bethel-Thompson. One of them is likely to get ousted once 49ers starting quarterback Alex Smith returns by Thursday, or sooner.

Masoli is still trying to resurrect his reputation after being dismissed from Oregon following the 2009 season. Masoli was apparently forced to plead guilty to stealing computers, and an electric guitar from a campus fraternity house. He then was cited for failing to stop coming out of a gas station and possessing a small amount of marijuana.

To hear Masoli’s side, click onto this story in Sports Illustrated and form your own opinion. Also realize that Masoli completed his degree in Sociology at Oregon and last year, while playing at Mississippi, he was a graduate student. Masoli also finished at the top of his senior class in science at St. Louis High in Hawaii.

And also consider the testimony of offensive coordinator Dan Hayes, who coached Masoli during his one season at City College of San Francisco.

“He was a good student, a great teammate and really committed,” said Hayes who keeps in close contact with Masoli. “He was a leader here.” Hayes also believes Masoli has the tools to be a quarterback in the NFL after he led the Rams to a title in his one year at the school. “Even if he couldn’t run a lick, he has a elite division I arm,” Hayes said.

Masoli calls CCSF his “little sanctuary,” and he has been going there since he was 14. His parents and younger brother and sister live 10 minutes away in Daly City and the family spends a lot of time on campus.

What CCSF athletic director Harold Brown appreciates is Masoli’s visits the last few years to talk to students. When Masoli was at the height of his popularity at Oregon, he signed autographs and advised athletes at CCSF.

Now Masoli is attempting to regain his fame as a 49ers quarterback. If he doesn’t stay at the position, Masoli will likely move to running back, where at 5-11, 224-pounds, he could be effective.

“Someone like me, I take pride in being versatile if I need be,” Masoli said after 49ers practice last week. Even with all that’s happened, Masoli still has the opportunity to write the ending of his own story and we’re all waiting to see how it’s going to turn out.